USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                        About FRAAbout FRA
  

        
              Overview
                Organization
                Program Offices
                Resource Center
                Web Policies and Notices
                Contact Us
                Communications
                Governmental AffairsFeatured
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Information from FRA
                Careers
                Leadership Profiles
                Organizational Chart
                Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches
                Fact Sheets
                TestimonyRailroad SafetyFeatured
  

        
              Train Horn Rule/Quiet Zones
                Public Blocked Crossings Incident Reporter
                Drug & Alcohol
                Safety Data
                C3RS
                High-Hazard Flammable Train Route AssessmentRailroad Safety
  

        
              Overview
                Railroad Crossing Safety & Trespass Prevention
                Accident Data & Reporting, Investigations
                Divisions
                Partnerships & ProgramsRail Network DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              High-Speed Rail
                Amtrak
                Environmental Reviews
                GIS Maps
                RuralRail Network Development
  

        
              Overview
                Passenger Rail
                Freight Rail
                Environment
                Planning
                International
                Maps & Data
                Training & GuidanceResearch & DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              R&D Current Projects
                Positive Train Control
                Hazardous Materials
                Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
                Close Call Reporting
                Broad Agency AnnouncementResearch & Development
  

        
              Overview
                Program Areas
                R&D ReportsLegislation & RegulationsFeatured
  

        
              FAST Act
                National Rail Plan
                Proposed State Rail Plan
                Civil PenaltiesLegislation & Regulations
  

        
              Overview
                Legislation
                Regulations & Rulemaking
                Buy AmericaGrants & LoansFeatured
  

        
              FRA Discretionary Grant Program Tool
                Discretionary Grant Calendar
                Railroad Capital Project Guidance
                FRA Webinars
                DOT GrantsGrants & Loans
  

        
              Overview
                Grant Programs
                Applying for Grants
                Resources for Grant Recipients
                Training & GuidanceFRA eLibraryeLibrary
  

        
              Accidents & Fatalities
                Compliance
                Conferences & Presentations
                Emergency & Safety
                Enforcement & Litigation
                Publications & Policy
                Reports
                OtherMenu Home
                        Rail Network Development
                        Environment
                        Environmental Reviews


            
            In This Section
        Environment Overview
                Environmental Division Updates
                Historic Preservation
                Rail Climate Considerations
                FRA Legislation & Regulations
                FRA & NEPA Documentation
                Additional Information on Categorical Exclusions
                Additional Information on Section 4(f) and Programmatic Evaluations
                Environmental Reviews
                Noise & Vibration
                Final Section 106 Program Comment for Rail Rights-of-Way
                FRA Rail Program Delivery Webinar Series: Environment
                FRA Recommended Trainings & Environmental Resources
                
                Point Defiance Bypass
    

    
    
          The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is implementing a program of infrastructure improvement projects along the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor (PNWRC) also known as the PNWRC Improvement Program. The PNWRC Improvement Program is made up of approximately 17 component projects. To fund these projects, WSDOT applied and was selected for grant funding through the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program.

One such component project is the Point Defiance Bypass Project. The Project consists of railroad track and support facility improvements to facilitate the rerouting of Amtrak’s intercity passenger rail to the Point Defiance Bypass route, and the relocation of Amtrak’s Tacoma Station. As part of the PNWRC Improvement Program, when combined with the other component projects, this Project would allow for two additional round trips of the Amtrak Cascades service between Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon with improved reliability and reduced travel time. This Project would also support Amtrak’s longer-distance Pacific Northwest passenger rail service, the Coast Starlight.

FRA and WSDOT prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze and document whether the Project would have significant effects on the environment. This Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is made based on the information in the EA and has been prepared by FRA and WSDOT to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C § 4321) (NEPA), FRA’s Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts (64 Fed. Reg. 28545, May 6, 1999), and other related laws. WSDOT will use FRA’s decision documentation and other supporting documentation to satisfy the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) (WAC 197-11). The EA and FONSI are also available at WSDOT’s Project website.

Point Defiance Bypass Environmental Assessment (EA)
	Point Defiance Bypass Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
	Appendix A: Alternatives Analysis
	Appendix B: Grade Separation Concept Evaluation
	Appendix C: Air Quality Discipline Report
	Appendix D: Air Quality Erratum
	Appendix E: Noise and Vibration Discipline Report
	Appendix F: Traffic and Transportation Discipline Report
	Appendix G: Railroad Crossing Traffic Effect Analysis at C and D Streets
	Appendix H: Geology and Soils Discipline Report
	Appendix I: Water Resources Discipline Report
	Appendix J: Wetlands Discipline Report
	Appendix K: Fish, Vegetation, and Wildlife Discipline Report
	Appendix L: Hazardous Materials Discipline Report
	Appendix M: Visual Quality Discipline Report
	Appendix N: Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice Discipline Report
	Appendix O: Land Use Discipline Report
	Appendix P: Public Services and Utilities Discipline Report
	Appendix Q: Energy Discipline Report
	Appendix R: Public Outreach Summary
	Appendix S: Agency Correspondence
              
      
    
          Last updated: Friday, August 28, 2020 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Railroad Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About Us
  

        
              About FRA
                Careers
                Contact Us
                FRA Civil Rights
                Doing Business with FRA
                Grants and Financial Assistance
                Safety Management TeamsAreas of Interest
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
                Safety Data
                Buy America
                Operation Lifesaver
                Railroad Safety Advisory Committee
                FRA Secure Area
                Proactive DisclosureI Am A...
  

        
              Railroad Traveler
                Railroad Inspector
                Reporter
                Educator/StudentPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web Standards